What should you do if a medication is contaminated?

If a medication is contaminated, the appropriate action is to dispose of it properly. Contaminated medications can pose significant health risks not only to the individual taking the medication but also to others handling it. Proper disposal helps ensure that the medication does not accidentally come into contact with people or the environment, which could lead to adverse effects or further contamination.

Disposing of contaminated medications appropriately often involves following specific guidelines, such as returning them to a pharmacy disposal program or following local regulations for hazardous waste. This step is vital for maintaining safety and preventing harm.

Keeping contaminated medication for continued use or mixing it with other medications runs the risk of increasing potential side effects or negative interactions, and returning it to the pharmacy may not solve the contamination issue but rather pass the risk on to someone else.